[0001] 1. Field of the Invention. The subject invention relates to a protective cap assembly for selectively sealing
and unsealing a passageway in a medical device and, in particular, to a protective
cap assembly for selectively sealing and unsealing the passageway in an end of a hypodermic
syringe barrel.
[0002] 2. Description of the Prior Art. The prior art hypodermic syringe includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal
end, a distal end and a fluid receiving chamber therebetween. The distal end of the
prior art syringe barrel includes a tip with a passageway extending into communication
with the chamber of the barrel. The distal end also is configured to releasably engage
a needle cannula, such that the needle cannula communicates with the passageway through
the tip of the syringe barrel. A plunger is inserted into the open proximal end of
the barrel. Movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel urges fluid
out of the chamber and through the passageway. Movement of the plunger away from the
distal end of the syringe barrel draws fluid through the passageway and into the chamber.
[0003] Hypodermic syringes often are filled at a location in a health care facility remote
from the patient, such as an in-hospital pharmacy. The filled syringes are then transported
to locations where the drug is administered. While the syringe may be shipped with
the needle cannula, as a safety measure the syringes are normally transported without
a needle cannula. This procedure reduces the risk of accidental needle sticks, reduces
storage space and allows the health care worker to select the most appropriate means
for administering the drug (e.g., metallic needle cannula, blunt cannula or IV fitting).
The tip of the prior art syringe barrel should be sealed or at least covered between
the time the syringe is filled and the time the drug is administered. This sealing
is necessary to avoid leakage from the syringe, the ingress of foreign matter and
air into the syringe, and, in general, the contamination of the drug.
[0004] Some medical procedures require a drug to be administered in small doses over a period
of time. For example, an initial dose of anesthesia may be administered preoperatively.
The anesthesiologist may then administer smaller doses of anesthesia intra-operatively
to keep the patient stabilized. The hypodermic syringe may not require a needle cannula
for these procedures, and the anesthesiologist may merely place the tip of the syringe
barrel directly into communication with a fitting on an intravenous line. Between
successive administrations of anesthesia, the syringe may be deposited on a surgical
table near the patient. The passageway through the distal end of the syringe barrel
should be sealed or covered between successive administrations of anesthesia to avoid
leakage and contamination.
[0005] Prior art hypodermic syringes also are used to draw fluid from a patient for analysis.
These bodily fluids typically are accessed with a sharply pointed metallic needle
cannula. However, for the reasons explained above, it is oftentimes desirable to separate
the needle cannula from the hypodermic syringe before sending the filled syringe to
the laboratory. Once again, it is necessary to seal or cover the tip during transportation
to prevent leakage and to avoid contamination.
[0006] In still other situations, a prior art hypodermic syringe may be used to flush lines
of medical equipment. For example, the hypodermic syringe may be placed in communication
with a dialysis machine and fluids may be drawn therefrom. These fluids may be contaminated,
and hence it is again desirable to seal the hypodermic syringe to prevent leakage.
[0007] The prior art hypodermic syringe typically is sealed or covered with a separate cap
that can be telescoped over the distal end of the syringe barrel. These separate caps
function well, but are easily lost. Separate caps also create inventory control and
disposal problems. Furthermore, the inconvenience of having to find and manipulate
a separate cap may encourage health care workers to simply disregard the cap or to
use it improperly.
[0008] Some prior art hypodermic syringes tether a cap to the syringe barrel with an elongate
flexible strap. The health care worker must manipulate the cap, the strap and the
hypodermic syringe to place the cap on the barrel or to remove the cap therefrom.
This manipulation can be cumbersome and requires the health care worker to use both
hands for sealing or unsealing the hypodermic syringe. Unfortunately, exigencies of
a health care facility often prevent the health care worker from having two free hands
for capping a hypodermic syringe. Thus, the health care worker may, at least temporarily,
leave the hypodermic syringe unsealed. The tethered cap also may visually or physically
interfere with the prior art hypodermic syringe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] More specifically, the present invention relates to a cap assembly having the features
set forth in the preamble of Claim 1. Such a cap assembly is known, e.g. from EP-A-0
341 967.
[0010] The subject invention is directed to a cap assembly, having the further features
set forth in Claim 1, for selectively sealing the passageway through the tip at the
distal end of a medical device.
[0011] For purposes of illustration and not of limitation, the assembly is herein described
primarily with reference to its use with medical syringes. However, it will be understood
and realized that the advantages and features of the cap assembly herein described
are not strictly limited to sealing medical syringes and that the device may be readily
accommodated to sealing passageways of any medical device. For instance, the relative
dimensions of the various assembly components and, in particular, the collar configuration
of the cap assembly may be designed and/or otherwise adapted to accommodate any number
of medical devices having a luer collar, so that the passageways of those medical
devices can be sealed or unsealed. For example, the collar configuration may be provided
with a thread to permit attachment to a female luer-lock stopcock associated with,
for instance, intravenous lines, catheters or the like. The cap assembly can then
be used to selectively seal the stopcock when not in use so as to preserve sterility
of the line. Other applications and uses of the cap assembly will be realized by those
skilled in the art.
[0012] The cap assembly includes at least one wall near the tip of the syringe barrel and
a cap slidably engaged with the wall. The wall and the cap are configured for permitting
slidable movement of the cap between a first position where the passageway through
the tip of the syringe barrel is open, and a second position where the passageway
is sealed by the cap. The wall may define a channel with a proximal portion extending
generally parallel to the tip of the syringe barrel, with the channel defining a distal
portion angularly aligned to the tip, and the cap may be slidably engaged in the channel.
In this regard, the wall defining the channel may include guide walls at the interface
between the proximal and distal portions of the channel for positively guiding the
cap between the first or open position and the second or closed position.
[0013] The wall with the channel may be unitary with the syringe barrel. For example, the
channel may be unitarily formed as part of the luer collar at the distal end of the
syringe barrel. Alternatively, the wall with the channel may be part of a collar that
is lockingly engaged over the distal end of the syringe barrel. For example, the collar
may be lockingly engaged over the luer collar of a prior art hypodermic syringe barrel.
[0014] The cap can be translated and rotated between the first position where the cap is
adjacent and parallel to the luer collar or barrel and the second position where the
cap sealingly engages the tip of the syringe barrel. An actuator tab may extend from
the cap and may be dimensioned for convenient actuation by the thumb or forefinger
of a user.
[0015] As explained further herein, the cap can be moved conveniently and repeatedly between
the opened and closed positions by a finger of the hand in which a syringe barrel
is held. The cap is never separated from the syringe barrel, and hence cannot be lost
or misplaced. The one handed opening and closing enables the health care worker to
attend to other responsibilities while conveniently and easily sealing or unsealing
the syringe barrel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hypodermic syringe with the roll cap assembly of
the subject invention mounted thereto and shown in an open condition.
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the collar for the cap assembly shown in Fig.
1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the collar.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the collar.
Fig. 4A depicts an alternate configuration of the collar, suitable for rotational
mounting to a fitting.
Fig. 4B is a frontal view of the configuration of Fig. 4A.
Fig. 4C illustrates another modification of the collar suitable for luer slip devices.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the cap for the roll cap assembly.
Fig. 8 is a frontal elevational view of the cap.
Fig. 9 is a bottom elevational view of the cap.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Fig. 7.
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 7 , showing the cap relationship
with a syring tip, when in open condition.
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 11, but showing the cap in a closed
condition.
Fig. 12A depicts a manner by which a central projection of the cap seals the syringe
tip.
Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the collar showing the cap in cross-section,
in a closed condition, as taken along line 102-102 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the roll cap assembly with the cap in the closed condition.
Fig. 15 illustrates a stopcock assembly having a female luer fitting associated with
medical devices, such as IV lines, catheters, or the like; and
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the roll cap assembly of the invention adapted for
use with the female luer lock fitting of Figure 15;
Fig. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 16 illustrating
a tapered sealing projection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals denote like components, a protective
cap assembly in accordance with the subject invention is identified generally by the
numeral 12 in Figs. 1 and 11-14. Protective cap assembly 12 is used with a hypodermic
syringe 14 having a syringe barrel 16. As shown in Fig. 1, syringe barrel 16 includes
an open proximal end 18, a distal end 20, and a generally cylindrical side wall 22
extending therebetween and defining a fluid receiving chamber 24. A plunger 26 is
inserted into chamber 24 of syringe barrel 16 from open proximal end 18. Plunger 26
is dimensioned for sliding fluid tight engagement with cylindrical wall 22 of chamber
24.
[0018] Distal end 20 of syringe barrel 16 includes an elongate tip 28 having a passage 30
extending axially therethrough and communicating with chamber 24. A luer collar 32
concentrically surrounds tip 28, and includes an array of internal threads for releasably
engaging the hub of a needle cannula. Thus, the lumen through the needle cannula can
be placed in communication with passage 30 through tip 28 for delivering fluid from
chamber 24 to a patient, or for drawing fluid from a patient into chamber 24.
[0019] Protective cap assembly 12 includes a collar 34 and a roll cap 36. As explained in
greater detail below, roll cap 36 is engaged in collar 34 for movement between the
open position shown in Fig. 1, where passage 30 through tip 28 is open and readily
accessible, and the closed position shown in Figs. 12-14, where passage 30 is safely
sealed.
[0020] As shown in Figs. 2-6, collar 34 may be unitarily molded from a thermoplastic material
and includes an axially short tubular mounting portion 38 having opposed proximal
and distal ends 39 and 40. Mounting portion 38 may further include an inner circumferential
surface 42 defining a diameter "a" which enables collar 34 to be slidably mounted
over luer collar 32 of syringe barrel 16. As seen in Figures 11 and 12, the mounting
portion 38 may also define an axis substantially aligned with the axis of the syringe
barrel. Portions of inner circumferential surface 42 of collar 34 adjacent proximal
end 39 thereof may define barbs (not shown) projecting inwardly. The barbs may be
configured to gradually bite into the thermoplastic material of syringe barrel 16
as collar 34 is slidably advanced in a proximal direction over luer collar 32. The
configuration of barbs will substantially prevent removal of collar 34 in a distal
direction after it has been securely mounted to luer collar 32.
[0021] It, for instance, luer collar 32 were not provided at the distal end of the syringe
barrel (as is the case, for example, with luer slip devices such as luer slip syringes),
the structure of the collar 34 and /or the inner circumferential surface 42 thereof
may be configured to adapt to a luer slip configuration associated, for instance,
with luer slip syringes. That is, the device might be configured to engage the elongate
luer tip 28. For instance, as seen in Fig. 4C, a washer 150 or similar structure might
be incorporated or otherwise formed or disposed at the base of collar 34, with an
opening formed therein adapted to frictionally engage the outer surface of elongate
tip 28.
[0022] As will be explained in further detail below, for certain applications it will be
understood and realized by those skilled in the art that it may be advantageous to
secure the cap assembly 12 for rotation about the fitting to which the assembly is
mounted. For instance, by replacing the barbs on the inner circumferential surface
42 of the collar 34 with one or more circumferential projections 111 disposed about
all or a part of the circumference of the surface 42 the cap assembly 12 can be attached
to the luer collar 32 in a manner to permit rotation of the cap assembly respective
to the luer collar.
See Figs. 4A and 4B. The projection(s) 111 can be formed as one or more rings circumferentially
disposed on the surface 42; as one or more discontinuous segments of a circumferential
ring; as one or more discrete projections of similar or varied shapes circumferentially
disposed along a ring; or in various other manners as need or desire dictate. The
projection(s) 111 may mate with a corresponding groove or channel (not shown) formed
around the circumference of luer collar 32. While projection(s) 111 need not extend
about the entire circumference of surface 42, if so disposed, the projection(s) may
be arranged around the center of collar 34 to promote stability of the assembly while
mounted to the luer collar 32. As collar 34 is proximally advanced over luer collar
32, the projections 111 will deform over the surface of collar 34 and snap into place
in the grooves, thereby providing secure engagement of the cap assembly 12 with the
luer collar 32 but permitting the assembly 12 to easily rotate about the axis of the
fitting. To this extent, it will be realized that a slight clearence may be provided
when configuring the projection(s) 111 and the corresponding groove(s) to ensure smooth
rotation.
[0023] As best seen in Fig. 4, a pair of parallel side walls 46 and 48 project outwardly
from the outer circumferential surface of mounting portion 38 of collar 34. Collar
34 further includes a pair of retaining walls 50 and 52 which project generally toward
one another from portions of side walls 46 and 48 remote from mounting portion 38.
Side walls 46 and 48 and retaining walls 50 and 52 define channels 54 and 56 which
face one another. The distance between the inner surfaces of side walls 46 and 48
define a width "b". The proximal ends of channels 54 and 56 are substantially parallel
to the axis of mounting portion 38 of collar 34.
[0024] Referring again to Figures 4-6, a pair of guide walls 100, 101 are also defined within
each of channels 54 and 56, respectively. The guide walls 100 and 101, generally aligned
along the axis of mounting portion 38 of collar 34, engage and trap roll cap 36 within
the channels 54 and 56 between the guide walls 100, 101 and retaining walls 50, 52,
so as to facilitate the movement of the roll cap 36 between its open and closed (sealed)
positions. For purposes which will soon be realized, each of the guide walls 100,
101 includes a respective ramped portion 100a, 101a located near the distal end of
the collar 34. The ramped portions 100a, 101a are angled toward the axis of the mounting
portion 38 at a generally acute angle "θ" (Fig. 5) chosen, for instance, according
to the dimensions of surrounding components, so as to facilitate the assembly of roll
cap 36 into the collar 34 as well as to assist in the operation of roll cap 36 between
its opened and closed (sealed) positions.
[0025] The portions of side walls 46 and 48 adjacent distal end 40 of collar 34 also include
guide projections 58 and 60 which, with the assistance of ramped portions 100a and
101a of the guide walls 100, 101, effectively angle channels 54 and 56 toward the
axis of mounting portion 38 for guiding roll cap 36 from the open condition shown
in Fig. 1 to the closed position shown in Figs. 12-14. Projections 58 and 60 also
function to hold roll cap 36 in the closed condition as explained further herein.
[0026] Retaining walls 50 and 52 are further characterized by locking projections 62 and
64 on sides of retaining walls 50 and 52 projecting outwardly therefrom. As explained
further herein, locking projections 62 and 64 cooperate with portions of roll cap
36 for locking roll cap 36 in the closed condition illustrated in Figs. 12-14.
[0027] Roll cap 36, as illustrated in Figs. 7-10, may be unitarily molded from a thermoplastic
material. More particularly, roll cap 36 includes an outer surface 68 for facing away
from Syringe 14 and an opposed inner surface 70 for facing toward syringe 14. Inner
surface 70 is characterized by a central sealing projection 72 for sealingly engaging
portions of tip 28 of syringe 14 in proximity to passage 30. As best seen in Figs.
10 and 12, sealing projection 72 may be formed in a generally frusto-conical configuration
which can conveniently seal the tip 28 of the syringe barrel by blocking passage 30.
As depicted in Fig. 17, the frustoconical configuration of sealing projection 72 may
define, for instance, a conically tapered wall component 72a inclined, for instance,
approximately six degrees from the normal as defined by an axis 73 perpendicular to
the cap 36. It will be understood that other acute angles may also be devised as need
or desire dictate. The conically tapered shape provided by the frusto-conical configuration
of the central sealing projection 72 may serve to enhance secure sealing of the projection
72 with the tip 28 of the syringe barrel. It will, of course, be also appreciated
that the dimensions of the sealing projection 72 may be chosen so that it will project
into at least a portion of the passage 30 for blocking the passage and sealing the
tip 28 (Fig. 12); to block tip 28 across the passage 30 without substantial insertion
of projection 72 into passage 30 (Fig. 12A); or in various other manners as will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, so long as the projection 72 may close off
the passage 30 to seal or cover the syringe tip.
[0028] As also seen in the Figures, an enclosure 110 may define a hemispherical-like structure
surrounding the central projection 72 to accommodate the tip 28 when the cap 36 is
in the closed position, as well as to guard against inadvertent touch contact with
either the central sealing projection 72 when the cap 36 is in its open position,
or with the syringe tip 28 when the cap is in its closed position. For instance, the
dimensions of the various components, such as the length of the central sealing projection
72 or the depth of the enclosure 110, may be devised so that the tip of the sealing
projection 72 remains recessed or otherwise disposed within the confines of the enclosure
110 so as not to extend beyond them. Thus, contamination of the supply of fluid which
is in contact with the sealing projection 72 during use of the assembly is minimized.
Inner surface 70 of roll cap 36 may also further include a slightly raised edge 79
on the inner surface 70 for sliding contact with guide walls 100, 101. In addition,
spaced apart arrays of ribs 76 and 78 may be disposed on the edge 79 for frictionally
engaging the guide walls 100, 101 to provide frictional resistance that prevents roll
cap 36 from unintentionally sliding out of the open position shown in Fig. 11.
[0029] Roll cap 36 is further characterized by tapered edges 80 and 82 which respectively
define a width "c" slightly less than the dimension "b" between the portions of side
walls 46 and 48 defining channels 54 and 56. Additionally, the tapered thickness of
roll cap 36, as measured in proximity to side edges 80 and 82, permits the sliding
engagement of roll cap 36 in channels 54 and 56.
[0030] Roll cap 36 further includes an actuation tab 84 which is dimensioned to facilitate
pushing and/or pulling of roll cap 36 relative to mounting collar 34. Actuation tab
84 includes locking undercuts 86 and 88 which are disposed and dimensioned to engage
locking projections 62 and 64 for securely locking roll cap 36 in the closed condition
as shown in Figs. 12-14.
[0031] Cap assembly 12 is used by sliding tapered side edges 80 and 82 of cap 36 into channels
54 and 56 of collar 34 in a distal direction. The raised edge 79 formed along the
inner surface 70 of the cap also slides along guide walls 100, 101 within the channels
54, 56 of collar 34. In this orientation, the orthogonally aligned surfaces of edge
79 against guide walls 100, 101 and between cap edges 80, 82 against side walls 46,
48 will substantially prevent separation of roll cap 36 from collar 34 in a proximal
direction. However, further movement of cap 36 in a distal direction is enabled, as
explained further below.
[0032] In this assembled condition, actuator tab 84 is radially outwardly of retaining walls
50 and 52, while side edges 80 and 82 are slidably engaged in channels 54 and 56.
Additionally, portions of side edges 80 and 82 are disposed inwardly of guide projections
58 and 60.
[0033] The collar 34 with the cap 36 assembled therein can then be slid in a proximal direction
over luer collar 32 of syringe barrel 14. As shown in Fig. 11, actuator tab 84 may
be seated against the shoulder of syringe barrel 14 to further ensure that cap 36
cannot be moved proximally out of engagement with mounting collar 34 after cap assembly
12 is mounted to syringe barrel 14. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 11, cap 36 is disposed
to prevent interference with interior regions of luer collar 32 and tip 30 so that
syringe barrel 14 can be used easily. This illustrated alignment of cap 36 in collar
34 is maintained partly by the engagement of edge 79 and/or rib arrays 76 and 78 with
the guide walls 100, 101 of the collar 34.
[0034] Cap 36 can be closed by exerting a distally directed force on actuator 84 with the
thumb or forefinger of the hand holding syringe barrel 14. Actuator 84 will slide
distally along the exterior of retaining walls 50 and 52. The tapered side edges 80
and 82 of cap 36 will slide through channels 54 and 56, with the edge 79 guided along
the surface of guide walls 100, 101. As the cap 36 is projected still further distally
along the axis of the mounting portion 38, a portion of cap 36 will strike and slide
against, and pivot inwardly of, guide projections 58 and 60, to urge the cap 36 towards
its closed position. The ramped portions 100a, 101a, disposed at generally acute angle
θ and in sliding contact with the edge 79, allow clearance for, and further provide
guidance for, the cap 36 to pivot as described above. The clearance gap "X" (Fig.
5) defined between guide projections 58 (60) and the end of ramped portions 101a (100a)
provides sufficient space to allow the cap 36 to pivot about from its generally vertical,
open orientation towards its generally horizontal, closed configuration, with the
locking undercuts 86, 88 preventing the cap 36 from sliding out through the clearance
gap "X" as it is closed. Thus, cap 36 will gradually rotate into the orientation shown
in Figs. 12-14 as it advances distally through channels 54 and 56.
[0035] In the fully closed position shown in Figs. 12-14, sealing projection 72 of cap 36
will engage passage 30 of tip 28 of syringe barrel 14. Locking of cap 36 is achieved
by engagement of portions of tab 84 defined by undercuts 86 and 88 of cap 36 with
locking projections 62 and 64 on outwardly facing surfaces of retaining walls 50 and
52. Additionally, projections 58 and 60 will engage portions of the outer surface
68 adjacent side edges 80 and 82 of cap 36 to bias cap 36 into the sealed condition
of Figs. 12-14. As will be appreciated, in the closed orientation the locking projections
62, 64 exert an upward force on the undercuts 86, 88, with the projections 58, 60
exerting a downward force upon portions of the outer surface 68 of the cap 36. Hence,
when locked into position, the cap is deflected so as to cause tip 28 of the syringe
barrel 14 to exert a counterbalancing upward force into the central sealing projection
72 of the cap. Hence, cap 36 will be releasably snapped into secure locked engagement
over the distal end of syringe barrel 14.
[0036] Cap 36 can be easily opened by merely exerting proximal forces on actuator 84 with
the thumb or forefinger of the hand holding syringe barrel 14. These proximally directed
forces 84 will cause undercuts 86 and 88 of cap 36 to disengage from locking projections
62 and 64 on collar 34, and will urge sealing projection 72 out of engagement with
tip 28. Thus, cap 36 can be moved from the orientation depicted in Figs. 12-14 back
to the orientation shown in Figs. 1 and 11.
[0037] As earlier explained, the cap assembly 12 may be readily adapted to numerous medical
devices, wherein the cap assembly 12 may serve to seal a distal passageway of the
device between successive uses. In most instances, the collar 34 of the cap assembly
may be readily modified or otherwise appropriately configured to provide secure mounting
to the device adjacent the passageway which is designed to be sealed. One example
of such application is disclosed, for instance, in Figs. 15-17. Here, cap assembly
12 has been modified for mounting to a stopcock assembly 120 associated with intravenous
lines, catheters or the like. The stopcock assembly 120 generally features a female
luer lock fitting 125 having a thread component 130. A lever arm 135 controls passage
of fluids, medicaments or the like through the stopcock assembly 120 between an inlet
port 136 and an outlet port 137. The female luer lock 125 is provided for selective
attachment of syringes or the like utilized for injecting a medicine into the intravenous
line controlled by the stopcock 120. The relative dimensions of the cap assembly 12
and, in particular, the collar 34 may be configured to enable the collar 34 to slide
without interference in the space 136 defined between the bottom surface of stopcock
lever 135 and the exterior of the female luer fitting 125 itself
[0038] Here, the cap assembly 12 has been modified for fitting to the female luer lock 125.
The collar 34 and, in particular, the circumferential surface 42 of the mounting portion
38 includes a mating thread component 115 for engagement with the thread 130 formed
on the female luer lock 125. Thus, the cap assembly 12 may be screwed on to the stopcock
assembly 120 so as to enable roll cap 36 to selectively seal a passageway formed in
the female luer lock 125.
[0039] As earlier described an as seen in Fig. 17, the central sealing projection 72 of
the roll cap 36 may include a conically tapered wall component 72a inclined, for instance,
approximately 6° from the normal as defined by an axis 73 perpendicular to the cap
36. Of course, it will be understood that other acute angles may be chosen as need
or desire dictate. The conically tapered configuration of the central sealing projection
72 serves to enhance and otherwise provide secure sealing of the projection 72 with
the female luer lock 125 of stopcock 120.
[0040] Referring to Fig. 16, it will also be seen that to insure that the cap 36 will securely
remain in its open position, a second pair of locking projections 140, 142 may be
disposed at the proximal end of retaining walls 50, 52. The cap 36 can be slid downwards
within the channels 54, 56 so that the locking undercuts 86, 88 slide over the locking
projections 140, 142 and oriented beneath the locking projections so as to securely
retain cap 36 in its open position. If desired, the locking projections 140, 142 as
well as locking projections 62, 64 can be provided with ramped sections at either
or both the proximal and distal ends of the locking projections to facilitate the
ease with which the cap 36 may be displaced between its opened and closed positions.
It will be understood and realized, of course, that the second set of locking projections
140, 142 and the ramped sections on either or both sets of projections can be employed
with equal purpose in the embodiment described in Figs. 1-14.
[0041] It will also be seen that the cap assembly 12 may be provided with the projection
and groove arrangement described with respect to Figs. 4a and 4b herein so as to enable
the cap assembly 12 to be securely fixed but rotatable about the axis of female luer
lock 125. This would be especially advantageous here in that the location of the cap
36 relative to the stopcock lever 135 may be displaced so that the two will not interfere
during operation of either the stopcock lever 135 or the cap assembly 12. It will
be further realized and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the modifications
described with respect to stopcock assembly 120 are readily applicable to the syringe
embodiment described in Figs. 1-14.
[0042] Thus, it will be seen that the cap assembly herein described provides a convenient
and ready way to selectively close or seal the passageways of numerous medical devices
in current use. The roll cap assembly is readily modified to a variety of mountings
or fittings, thereby enhancing the versatility of the device.
1. A protective cap assembly (12) for selectively covering a passageway (30) in a medical
device (14, 120), comprising:
a mounting fitting (34);
a cap (36) being movable between a first position where said cap (36) is spaced from
said passageway (30) of said medical device (14, 120) and a second position where
said cap (36) protectively covers said passage (30), characterised in that:
said mounting fitting is a collar (34) placeable or integrally formed on said medical
device (14, 120) and having opposed proximal (39) and distal (40) ends;
at least one side wall (46 or 48) is provided projecting outwardly from said collar
(34); and
said cap is slidably engaged with said side wall (46 or 48), whereby said cap moves
with translation and rotation movement between said first and said second position.
2. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 1, further comprising a sealing projection (72) extending
from said cap (36) and dimensioned for sealing engagement with said passage (30) of
said medical device (14, 120) when said cap (36) is in said second position.
3. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 1 for use with a medical device comprised of a hypodermic
syringe (14) defining a passageway (30) for fluid communication, comprising:
a mounting portion (38) lockably engageable adjacent the distal end of the syringe
barrel (16);
said at least one side wall (46 or 48) projecting outwardly from the outer circumferential
surface of said mounting portion (38) of said collar (34); and
said cap (36) being slidably engaged with said side wall (46 or 48) and being movable
between a first position where said cap (36) is spaced from said passageway (30) of
said syringe (14) and a second position where said cap (36) protectively covers said
passageway (30).
4. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 3, further comprising a sealing projection (72) extending
from said cap (36), said sealing projection (72) dimensioned for sealing engagement
with said passage (30) of said syringe (14) when said cap (36) is in said second position.
5. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 3, wherein said at least one side wall (46 or 48) comprises
a pair of side walls (46 and 48).
6. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 5, further comprising a retaining wall (50, 52) extending
from each of said pair (46, 48) of side walls and defining a channel (54, 56) between
said mounting portion (38) of said collar (34) and each of said retaining walls (46,
48), said cap (36) being slidably engaged in each of said channels (54, 56).
7. The cap assembly (12) of Claim 6, wherein said cap (36) comprises an actuator (84)
disposed externally of said channels (54, 56) and slidably engaged with said retaining
walls (46, 48) for generating said sliding movement of said cap (36) in said channels
(54, 56).
8. The cap assembly of Claim 5, wherein said side walls (46, 48) are substantially parallel
to one another.
9. The cap assembly of Claim 1, wherein said cap assembly (12) is rotatably affixed to
said medical device (14, 120).
1. Eine Schutzkappenanordnung (12) zum wahlweisen Abdecken eines Durchgangs (30) in einer
medizinischen Vorrichtung (14, 120), umfassend:
einen Befestigungsbauteil (34),
eine Kappe (36), welche zwischen einer ersten Position, bei der die besagte Kappe
(36) vom Durchgang (30) der besagten medizinischen Vorrichtung (14, 120) entfernt
ist, und einer zweiten Position, bei der die besagte Kappe (36) den Durchgang (30)
schützend bedeckt, bewegbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Befestigungsbauteil eine Manschette (34) ist, die auf die besagte medizinische
Vorrichtung (14, 120) aufsetzbar, oder mit dieser integral geformt ist und einander
gegenüberliegende proximale (39) und distale (40) Enden aufweist;
zumindest eine Seitenwand (46 oder 48) vorgesehen ist, die sich von der besagten Manschette
(34) nach außen erstreckt, und
die besagte Kappe gleitend von der zumindest einen Seitenwand (46 oder 48) gehalten
ist, wobei sich die besagte Kappe mit einer Translations- und Rotationsbewegung zwischen
der ersten und zweiten Position bewegen kann.
2. Die Schutzkappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 1, die weiters einen sich von der besagten
Kappe (36) erstreckenden Verschlussfortsatz (72) umfasst, der als dichtender Eingriff
für den besagten Durchgang (30) der besagten medizinischen Vorrichtung (14, 120) ausgelegt
ist, wenn sich die besagte Kappe (36) in der zweiten Position befindet.
3. Die Schutzkappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 1 zum Gebrauch mit einer medizinischen
Vorrichtung beinhaltend eine Hypoderm-Spritze (14), die einen Durchgang (30) zur Flüssigkeitsübertragung
definiert, umfassend:
einen Befestigungsbauteil (38), welcher benachbart dem distalen Ende des Spritzengehäuses
(16) verschließbar eingreift,
die zumindest eine Seitenwand (46 oder 48), welche von der äußeren Oberfläche des
Umfangs des besagten Befestigungsabschnittes (38) der besagten Manschette (34) nach
außen vorsteht, und
besagte Kappe (36), die gleitend mit der zumindest einen Seitenwand (46 oder 48) in
Eingriff ist und zwischen einer ersten Position, bei der die besagte Kappe (36) vom
besagten Durchgang (30) der besagten Spritze (14) entfernt ist, und einer zweiten
Position, bei der die besagte Kappe (36) den besagten Durchgang (30) schützend bedeckt,
bewegbar ist.
4. Die Kappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 3, die weiters einen von der besagten Kappe
(36) abstehenden Verschlussfortsatz (72) umfasst, wobei der besagte Verschlussfortsatz
(72) als dichtender Eingriff für den besagten Durchgang (30) der besagten Spritze
(14) ausgelegt ist, wenn sich die besagte Kappe (36) in der zweiten Position befindet.
5. Die Kappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die zumindest eine Seitenwand (46
oder 48) ein Paar von Seitenwänden (46 und 48) umfasst.
6. Die Kappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 5, die weiters eine sich von jeder Seitenwand
des besagten Seitenwandpaares (46, 48) erstreckende Rückhaltewand (50, 52) umfasst,
die einen Kanal (54, 56) zwischen dem besagten Befestigungsabschnitt (38) der besagten
Manschette (34) und jeder der besagten Rückhaltewände (46, 48) bildet, wobei die besagte
Kappe (36) gleitend in jeder der besagten Kanäle (54, 56) eingreift.
7. Die Kappenanordnung (12) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die besagte Kappe (36) eine Betätigungsvorrichtung
(84) umfasst, die außerhalb der besagten Kanäle (54, 56) angeordnet ist und gleitend
mit den besagten Rückhaltewänden (46, 48) in Eingriff steht, um die Gleitbewegung
der besagten Kappe (36) in den besagten Kanälen (54, 56) zu erzeugen.
8. Die Kappenanordnung nach Anspruch 5, bei der die besagten Seitenwände (46, 48) im
wesentlichen parallel zueinander sind.
9. Die Kappenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die besagte Kappenanordnung (12) rotierbar
an der besagten medizinischen Vorrichtung (14, 120) befestigt ist.
1. Un ensemble de capuchon protecteur (12) pour couvrir sélectivement une voie de passage
(30) dans un dispositif médical (14, 120), comprenant :
un raccord de montage (34) ;
un capuchon (36), déplaçable entre une première position, à laquelle ledit capuchon
(36) est espacé de ladite voie de passage (30) du dispositif médical (14, 120), et
une deuxième position, à laquelle ledit capuchon (36) couvre de façon protectrice
ledit passage (30), caractérisé en ce que
ledit raccord de montage est constitué d'une collerette (34) susceptible d'être placée
sur ou de faire partie intégrante dudit dispositif médical (14, 120) et ayant des
extrémités proximales (39) et distales (40) opposées ; et
au moins une paroi latérale (46 ou 48) est prévue, faisant saillie vers l'extérieur
de ladite collerette (34) ;
et
ledit capuchon est mis en prise de façon coulissante avec ladite paroi latérale (46
ou 48), de manière que ledit capuchon se déplace avec un mouvement de translation
et de rotation entre ladite première et ladite deuxième position.
2. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une saillie
de fermeture étanche (72) s'étendant depuis ledit capuchon (36) et dimensionnée pour
venir en contact d'étanchéité avec ledit passage (30) dudit dispositif médical (14,
120) lorsque ledit capuchon (36) est à ladite deuxième position.
3. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 1, pour utilisation avec un dispositif
médical constitué d'une seringue hypodermique (14) définissant une voie de passage
(30) pour une communication fluidique, comprenant :
une partie de montage (38) susceptible de venir en prise de façon verrouillable au
voisinage de l'extrémité distale du corps de seringue (16) ;
ladite au moins une paroi latérale (46 ou 48) faisant saillie vers l'extérieur depuis
la surface circonférentielle extérieure de ladite partie de montage (38) de ladite
collerette (34) ; et
ledit capuchon (36) étant mis en contact coulissant avec ladite paroi latérale (46
ou 48) et étant déplaçable, entre une première position, à laquelle ledit capuchon
(36) est espacé de ladite voie de passage (30) de ladite seringue (14), et une deuxième
position, à laquelle ledit capuchon (36) couvre de façon protectrice ladite voie de
passage (30).
4. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre une saillie
d'étanchéité (72) s'étendant depuis ledit capuchon (36), ladite saillie d'étanchéité
(72) étant dimensionnée pour venir en contact d'étanchéité avec ledit passage (30)
de ladite seringue (14) lorsque ledit capuchon (36) se trouve à ladite deuxième position.
5. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite au moins
une paroi latérale (46 ou 48) comprend une paire de parois latérales (46 et 48).
6. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 5, comprenant en outre une paroi
de retenue (50, 52) s'étendant depuis chacune de ladite paire (46, 48) de parois latérales
et définissant un canal (54, 56) entre ladite partie de montage (38) de ladite collerette
(34) et chacune desdites parois de retenue (46, 48), ledit capuchon (36) étant mis
en contact coulissant dans chacun desdits canaux (54, 56).
7. L'ensemble de capuchon (12) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ledit capuchon (36)
comprend un actionneur (84), disposé extérieurement auxdits canaux (54, 56) et mis
en contact coulissant avec lesdites parois de retenue (46, 48), pour générer ledit
déplacement de coulissement dudit capuchon (36) dans lesdits canaux (54, 56).
8. L'ensemble de capuchon selon la revendication 5, dans lequel lesdites parois latérales
(46, 48) sont sensiblement parallèles entre elles.
9. L'ensemble de capuchon selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit ensemble de capuchon
(12) est fixé de façon rotative sur ledit dispositif médical (14, 120).